Published On: 2nd July 2018

Following the successful case of Gureckis the Public Interest Law Unit has launched a free telephone advice and referral line.

The phone line will be open Monday-Friday (10am-4pm).  We are open for direct and second-tier advice as well as referrals. Attached ready-to-print are flyers in English and Polish (other languages to follow). Referrals  can also be made by emailing office@pilc.org.uk .

We will work with all EEA nationals affected by homelessness or at risk – this means we can work with those vulnerably housed, moving from place to place as well as those sleeping rough.

The remit of our work focuses on challenging unlawful public bodies’ decisions, actions or policies in a range of arrears – may it be access to Welfare Benefits, Healthcare or Housing. We are also aware of continued enforcement and discrimination against EEA nationals, which we will challenge wherever possible.

Please do not hesitate to call or email us to discuss any recurrent issues you encounter in your work or potential referrals.

Aims and Objectives

 The aim of the project is to ensure homeless people from the European Economic Area (EEA):

  • receive access to specialist legal representation,
  • learn, defend and enforce their rights.

The Public Interest Law Centre will take a strategic litigation approach to challenging central government, local councils and the Greater London Authority’s policies and practice where those are judged to infringe homeless people’s rights. Learnings will also be shared to support front line organisations and ensure the impact of test cases is promoted and to maximise the impact of the project across the sector.

Beneficiaries

The project will benefit EEA nationals who are homeless (sleeping rough, sofa surfing, vulnerably housed) or at risk of homelessness as well as those supporting them through frontline advice and casework.

Activities

  • Free Legal Advice sessions (bi-weekly, locations TBC)
  • Problem identifier sessions with frontline organisations
  • Roundtable discussions
  • ‘Know your Right’ factsheet for homeless people and advisors
  • Training on the opportunities and limitations of Public Law as a tool for defending the rights of homeless people.

Issues

Below is a short (and non-exhaustive) list of issues that we have an interest in:

  • Routes to settlement during Brexit transition (especially for those who might lack the necessary documents)
  • Criminalisation of rough sleepers and precarious workers
  • Discriminatory treatment of homeless people
  • Implementation of the Homelessness Reduction Act.

If in doubt give us a call – 07856539582